PHOTOGRAPH OF A BRITISH MILITARY CAMP at KANIGURAM INDIA, c1900

Original photograph of a military camp in India, photography credit to Randolph Bezzant Holmes (negative no. 112) bottom right corner.  9.5x11.5 inches.  Written on the back: Kaniguram Camp, Right Panorama and stamped with the photographer's name (R. B. Holmes) and Peshawar on the back. The Kaniguram Valley is located in S. Waziristan on what was the Northwest Frontier of India, between Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Between 1849-1947 it was the scene of expeditions by the British/Indian forces against the fierce independent tribesmen of the area.  Holmes (1888 Peshawar-1973 New Zealand) was born and lived in the NW Province for more than 50 years.  He was the son of another photographer and carried out the business following his father's death.  Both he and his father were important documenters of military activities in the region. He accompanied the British army during the Third Afghan War in 1919, which is when this may have been taken.  Much of his stock was destroyed during Partition and the family moved to New Zealand; however some was preserved and is in various collections and libraries in the UK and New Zealand.(From British Museum)